Just a tad longer and possessing a slightly smaller ring gauge, this Hermoso No. 4 still qualifies as a robusto although it lacks that thick robusto feel. I read many favourable reviews of the El Rey Del Mundo Choix Supreme over the past couple of years. I had never sampled one but I did have 5 cigars that were given to me by a friend of mine who is a big fan of these cigars. They came from a 2010 box and this week I had my third of the bunch hoping that I would find what it was that many others that swear by this cigar have found. Unfortunately, if you are looking for a good review of this cigar, this one is not going to be it. I was hoping my first crack at one of these was going to be worth it. I thought maybe I just got a bad one. The subsequent two showed no major improvement. Let’s discuss my findings, shall we?

Appearance : Despite my feelings about this cigar, its appearance is seductive. The wrapper was flawless. No water staining and the cap was beautifully applied. The foot of the cigar gave the appearance that the roller sure knew what he/she was doing. The cigar was smooth, oily in appearance and just a tad off from being perfectly circular at the foot. The cigar gives a very muted aroma and the pre-light draw was very firm with familiar but very muted leather and cedar notes.

Construction : The draw on this cigar was extremely tight. Unfortunately, all 3 samples that I smoked suffered from the same problem: extremely tight draws. I was waiting for the cigar to open up for me as I smoked it but I had no such luck. Quite honestly, I was fatigued from the sucking that I had to do in order to get a mouthful of smoke. Generally speaking, I did not get much smoke out of this cigar. When I did get a good mouthful of smoke it was after taking 3 or 4 very strong consecutive draws. The tanned/grey ash held firm for a good inch and a half before falling off on its own. The burn of the cigar was flawless. Unfortunately, the cigar simply required too much work in order to coax the flavours and smoke out of it. Too bad. I really wanted to like this cigar. The first sample, while not as perfect in burn as the last one, still burned quite even. The last sample needed to be relit twice and needed a lot of effort to stay lit in between.

Flavor : Overall I would classify the El Rey Del Mundo Choix Supreme as a very mild cigar. Feel free to smoke it in the morning and on an empty stomach. It was so mild in fact that there were instances where I was so desperate to taste something that I wanted to inhale it as I smoked it. I purposely exhaled out of my sinuses and nose in order to capture some much needed spice from this smoke. While present, the underlying pepper tones were very muted.

As for flavour, the cigar started with hints of honey roasted nuts and some very subtle white pepper nuances. As the cigar progressed I started to get some sweeter hints best described as caramel-like with some hints of cocoa. I got very little hints of salt on my lips and again, very subtle peppery nuances. As mentioned, I was really struggling to get any mouthfuls of smoke. The finish was very short and I found myself needing to take frequent puffs in order to continue to capture any flavour.

From about the second third onwards I noted some increased sweetness that is best described as honey-sweetened coffee. Some earthiness was present as was a little more pepper and spice than compared to the first third of the cigar. Generally though, the cigar remained on the sweeter side.

I found myself putting the cigar to rest earlier than I normally do with all 3 samples. My samples simply required too much effort for too little reward. As I said, I really wanted to enjoy this cigar and the looks of the cigar certainly gave me high expectations. However, the overall flavour and effort required to obtain those flavours were simply disappointing. I would classify this cigar as light in both strength and body. There were enough discernable flavour changes to keep me from labelling this cigar as one-dimensional but there simply wasn’t enough flavour to make me want to come back for more.

I am of the belief that a little age helps an already tasty and good cigar but aging doesn’t improve a cigar that is lacking to begin with so I really don’t expect to get any different results from the remaining two if I decide to come back to them in a couple of years.

Value : These can be had for $10.00 and certainly much cheaper on the Island. The ones I had were purchased in 2010 for $10.25 each. It is hard to rate value high considering I wouldn’t pay any money for any more of these cigars. However, the price is a bit high considering the fact that the cigar is smaller than most robustos and, in my opinion, the fact it was so mild really makes it hard to find any value in this cigar at all. For my money I would rather turn to the Vegas Robaina Famosos which in my opinion is a far superior cigar.

Overall Rating : I was truly disappointed with this cigar and I failed to see or taste what many others had tasted. It is possible that I simply got a bad bunch however I have not read about many construction or production issues that affected the Choix Supreme. As I stated, the appearance of the cigar was flawless and It looked like it would smoke well. However, I don’t think it’s just a bad fluke after experiencing 3 very similar and equally disappointing smokes. The sheer beauty and flawless even burn on this cigar is what kept this cigar at 3 out of 5 stars. Had the rating been on taste alone, It would have been 2.5.

My condolences to DrFever; I am entirely sympathetic to the disappointment of a “hard draw” cigar. However, in this instance I must differ. The Choix Supreme I have just been fortunate enough to enjoy was outstanding. I’ll not elaborate on the construction and pre light qualities; they were non plus ultra! I’m unsighted how others cut their cigars, I invariably use a “punch” from my Victorinox Swiss Army cigar knife which comes with a special blade sporting three sizes of hole which between them serve ring sizes 30-50 comfortably, leaving a clean and entirely “non-flaking” hole in the end cap.

As above, the construction, burn and ash all testified to the expertise of the roller. Now, what about the taste?

Unlike above, I immediately got a full bodied smoke, quite peppery but with several lighter notes (chocolate and a melange of Christmas spices, not unlike German Lebkuchen). There was a light but discernible saltiness left on my lips. Still being relatively nouveau a cigar smoker, I appreciated the restraint of this cigar, and would agree that it’s suitable for early in the day and best following food/drink which hasn’t already placed huge demands on my taste buds.

Of peeling or splitting there was no sign and can only conjecture that the humidity in which these were kept was exemplary. (Mine came from J Fox’, in St James’, London). The generous ring size maintained a pleasant coolness throughout. As to flavour development; true enough the cigar didn’t venture into any exceptional areas, but I still look for something which, at this size, will not become a chore. In this regard, being left with the blend of peppery, sweet, salt throughout its length, would suit any occasion where there are no strongly conflicting flavours.

In common with other Cubans, price is always a factor and this stick should not be hurried.

I would give it 4* and seriously recommend giving it a try IF it has been properly maintained.

Received my order of the El Rey Del Mundo Choix Supremes 25’s from FCC last Friday afternoon. I was pleasantly surprised to find the box I received were box dated Oct 2014. I enjoyed my second smoke tonight and found this cigar absolutely fantastic. The pre draw left a baked bread/cedar taste on the pallette. The light revelaed hardly any spice, but the longer I smoked it, the more pleasurable it became. Just tons of smoke off this jewel until the last third which deliverd the authentic cuban “buzz” I was expecting. These are going in the wineador to age and can hardly wait to try again with more age. The only negative is that the box was not as constructed as well as other brands I have received. I would order another box of these without hesitation. Delicious.